HoUinger Corp. 



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gP/\r^E. ^loMEiNTS 



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ILTON 



SELECTED AND ARRANGED BY 

GERTRUDE B. MOSHER 



ALBANY, N. Y. 

Brando w Printing Compa 

FORT ORANCiK PRESS 

1888 




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COPYKIGHT, 1888, BY GERTRUDE B. Mo 



These quotations are selected from Milton's great ivork, 
"Paradise Lost." 



Thus with the year 
Seasons return, but not to me returns 
Day, or the sweet approach of ev'n or morn, 
Or sight of vernal bloom, or summer's rose, 
Or flocks, or herds, or human face divine ; 
But cloud instead, and ever-during dark 
Surrounds me; from the cheerful ways of men 
Cut off, and for the Book of knowledge fair 
Presented with an universal blank 
Of Nature's works, to me expunged and rased. 
And Wisdom at one entrance quite shut out. 
So much the rather thou, celestial Light, 
Shine inward, and the mind through all her pow'rs 
Irradiate, there plant eyes ; all mist from thence 
Purge and disperse that I may see and tell 
Of things invisible to mortal sight. 

—Book III : 40 



,eFeefion^ from Mifton. 



I follow Thee, safe guide the path 

Thou lead'st me, and to the hand of Heav'n submit, 

However chast'ning ; to the evil turn 

My obvious breast, arming to overcome 

By suff'ring, and earn , rest from labor won. 

If so I mav attain. 

—Book XI . 



37^- 



Thou art my Father, Thou my Author, Thou 
My being gav'st me ; whom should I obey 
But Thee, whom follow? Thou wilt bring me soon 
To that new world of light and bliss, among 
The Gods who live at ease. 

—Book II : 864. 



All knees to Thee shall bow, of them that bide 
In Heav'n, or Earth, or under Earth in Hell. 

—Book III : 321. 
(5) 



God made thee of choice His own, and of his own 
To serve Him ; thy reward was of His grace ; 
Thy punishment then, justly, is at His will. 

—Book X : 766. 

Who can deceive His mind, whose eye 
Views all things at one view? 

— Book II: i8g. 

Due alike 
To Him who reigns, and so much to Him due 
Of hazard more, as He above the rest 
High honour'd sits. 

— Book II : 4^ J. 

In mercy and justice both, 
Through Heav'n and Earth, so shall My glory excel, 
But mercy first and last shall brightest shine. 

—Book III: IJ2 

Immediate are the acts ofi'-God, more swift 
Than time or motion ; but to human ears 
Cannot without process of speech be told ; 
So told as earthly notion can receive. 

-Book VII : 176. 

Heav'n open'd wide 
Her ever-during gates, harmonious sound 
On golden hinges moving, lo let forth 
The King of Glory in His pow'rful Word 
And Spirit coming to create new worlds. 

— Book VII : 20^. 
(6) 



Best are all things as the will 
Of God ordained them. — Book IX : j4j. 

Father Eternal, Thine is to decree ; 

Mine, both in Heav'n and Earth to do Thy will 

Supreme, that Thou in me, thy Son beloved, 

May'st ever rest well pleased. 

—Book X : 68. 

Just are Thy ways. 

Righteous are Thy decrees : on all Thy works. 

Who can extenuate Thee? Next to the Son, 

Destined Restorer of Mankind, by whom 

New Heav'n and Earth shall to the ages rise. 

Or down from Heav'n descend. 

—Book X : 643. 

O that men 
* * * should be so stupid grown. 
As to forsake the living God, and fall 
To worship their own work in wood and stone 
For Gods! —Book XII : 113. 

And if by prayer 
Incessant I could hope to change the will 
Of Him who all things can, I would not cease 
To weary Him with my assiduous cries. 
But prayer against His absolute decree 
No more avails than breath against the wind. 
Blown stifling back on him that breathes it forth : 
Therefore to His great bidding I submit. 

— Book XI : joj. 

(7) 



For He, be sure, 
In height or depth, still first and last will reign 
Sole King and of His kingdom lose no part. 

— Book II : J2J. 

Regardless of the bliss wherein He sat 
Second to thee, offered Himself to die 
For man's offence. O unexampled Love ! 

—Book III : 408. 

Henceforth I learn that to obey is best, 

And love with fear the only God ; to walk 

As in His presence ; ever to observe 

His providence, and on Him sole depend, 

Merciful over all His works, with good 

Still overcomiug evil, and by small 

Accomplishing great things; by things deem'd weak 

Subverting worldly strong, and worldly wise 

By simply meek ; that suff' ring for truth's sake 

Is fortitude to highest victory. 

And to the faithful, death the gate of life : 

Taught this by His example, whom I now 

Acknowledge my Redeemer ever blest. 

— Book XII : ^61. 



Glory they sung to the Most High, good will 
To future men, and in their dwellings peace. 

—Book VII : 1 82. 
(8) 



<|y^AN shall not quite be lost, but saved who will, 

j* Yet not of will in him, but grace in Me 

Freely vouchsafed. * * * 

Upheld by Me, yet once more he shall stand 

On even ground against his mortal foe 

By Me upheld, that he may know how frail 

His fall'n condition is, and to Me owe 

All his deliv'rance, and to none but Me. 

Some I have chosen of peculiar grace 

Elect above the rest ; so is My will : 

The rest shall hear Me call, and oft be warn'd 

Their sinful state, and to appease betimes 

Th' incensed Deity, while offer'd grace 

Invites ; for I will clear their senses dark, 

What may suffice, and soften stony hearts 

To pray, repent, and bring obedience due 

To pray'r, repentance, and obedience due. 

Though but endeavour'd with sincere intent. 

Mine ear shall not be slow, Mine eye not shut. 

And I will place within them as a guide 

My umpire Conscience ; whom if they will hear. 

Light after light well used they shall attain. 

And, to the end persisting, safe arrive. 

—Book III : 17 J. 
(9) 



In His own image He 
Created thee, in the image of God 
Express, and thou becam'st a living soul. 

—Book VII : S26. 

Be lowly wise : 
Think only what concerns thee and thy being ; 
Dream not of other worlds, what creatures there 
Live, in what state, condition or degree ; 
Contented that thus far hath been reveal'd 
Not of Earth onlv, but of highest Heav'n. 

—Book VIII : 17 J. 

Solicit not thy thoughts with matters hid ; 
Leave them to God above ; Him serve and fear! 
Of other creatures, as Him pleases best. 
Wherever placed, let Him dispose : joy thou 
In what He gives to thee, 

—Book VIII : 167. 

Stand fast, to stand or fall 
Free in thine own arbitrement it lies. 
Perfect within, no outward aid require ; 
And all temptation to transgress repel, 

—Book VIII : 640. 

What in me is dark. 

Illumine ; what is low, raise and support, 

—Book 1 : 22. 
(10) 



Seest thou yon dreary plain, forlorn and wild, 
The seat of desolation, void of light. 
Save what the glimm'ring of these livid flames 
Cast pale and dreadful ? Thither let us tend 
From off the tossing of these fiery waves, 
There rest, if any rest can harbor there. 
And reassembling our afiflicted powers. 
Consult how we may henceforth most offend 
Our enemy, our own loss how repair, 
How overcome this dire calamity. 
What reinforcement we may gain from hope. 
If not, what resolution from despair. 

—Book 1 : 1 80, 

The mind is its own place, and in itself 

Can make a Heav'n of Hell, a Hell of Heav'n. 

— Book 1 : 2j4. 

Feed on thoughts that voluntary move 
Harmonious numbers. 



Who overcomes 
By force, hath overcome but half his foe. 



-Book III : j7. 



—Book 1 : 648. 



Where there is then no good 

For which to strive, no strife can grow up there 

From faction. 

—Book II : JO. 

(lO 



The way seems difficult and steep, to scale 
With upright wing against a higher foe. 



Thus repulsed, our final hope 
Is flat despair. 



-Book II: 71. 



-Book II : 142. 



Who would lose, 
Though full of pain, this intellectual being? 

—Book II: 146. 



And wand'ring each his sev'ral way 
Pursues, as inclination or sad choice 
Leads him perplex'd, where he may likeliest find 
Truce to his restless thoughts. 

— Book II : ^2j. 

To suffer, as to do, 
Our strength is equal ; nor the law unjust 
That so ordains. This was at first resolved 
If we were wise, against so great a foe 
Contending, and so doubtful what might fall. 
I laugh, when those who at the spear are bold 
And vent'rous, if that fail them, shrink and fear 
What yet they know must follow; to endure 
Exile or ignominy, or bonds, or pain, 
The sentence of their Conqu'ror. 

— Book II : rgg. 

(12) 



Besides what hope the never-ending flight 

Of future days may bring, what chance, what change 

Worth waiting, since our present lot appears 

For happy though but ill, for ill not worst. 

If we procure not to ourselves more woe. 

— Book II : 221. 



All things invite 
To peaceful counsels, and the settled state 
Of order, how in safety best we may 
Compose our present evils, with regard 
Of what we are, and where, dismissing quite 
All thoughts of war. 

—Book II: 278. 



Our greatness will appear 
Then most conspicuous, when great things of small. 
Useful of hurtful, prosp'rous of adverse. 
We can create, and in what place soe'er. 
Thrive under evil, and work ease out of pain 
Through labour and endurance. * * * 

* * * How oft amidst 
Thick clouds and dark doth Heav'n's all-ruling Sire 
Choose to reside. His glory unobscured. 
And with the majesty of darkness^round 
Covers His throne. 

—Book II: 2S7. 
(13) 



They ferry over this Lethean sound 
Both to and fro, their sorrow to augment, 
And wish and struggle, as they pass, to reach 
The tempting stream, with one small drop to lose 
In sweet forgetfulness all pain and woe. 
All in one moment, and so near the brink ; 
But fate withstands. 

—Book II : 604. 

Man disobeying. 
Disloyal breaks his fealty; and sins 
Against the High Supremacy of Heav'n. 

—Book III: 203. 

Which of ye will be mortal to redeem 

Man's mortal crime, and just th' unjust to save? 

—Book III : 214. 

Neither Man nor Angel can discern 
Hypocrisy. 

—Book III : 6S2. 

And oft though Wisdom wake, Suspicion sleeps 
At Wisdom's gate, and to Simplicity 
Resigns her charge, while Goodness thinks no ill 
Where no ill seems. 

—Book III: 6S6. 

Each has his place appointed, each his course. 

—Book III: J 20. 
(14) 



Man hath his daily work of body or mind 
Appointed, which declares his dignity, 
And the regard of Heav'n on all his ways. 

—Book IV: 6 1 8. 



Thy way thou canst not miss, me inine requires. 

— Book III : '/jj. 

Is there no place 
Left for repentance, none for pardon left? 

—Book IV: yg. 

How beauty is excelled by manly grace 
And wisdom, which alone is truly fair. 

— Book IV : 4go. 

Live while ye may. 

— Book IV : jj. 

So little knows 
Any, but God alone, to value right 
The good before him, but perverts best things 
To worst abuse, or to their meanest use. 

— Book IV : 201. 

In their looks divine 
The image of their glorious Maker shone. 
Truth, wisdom, sanctitude severe and pure. 

— Book IV : 2gi. 

Lives there who loves his pain ? 

—Book IV: 888. 



(15) 



In the soul 
Are many lesser faculties that serve 
Reason as chief : among these Fancy next 
Her office holds : of all external things 
Which the five watchful senses represent, 
She forms imaginations' aery shapes, 
Which Reason joining or disjoining, frames 
All that we affirm or what deny, and call 
Our knowledge or opinion ; then retires 
Into her private cell when Nature rests. 
Oft in her absence mimic Fancy wakes 
To imitate her, but misjoining shapes, 
Wild work produces oft, and most in dreams, 
111 matching words and deeds long past or late. 

— Book I': loo. 

Be not dishearten'd then, nor cloud those looks 

That wont to be more cheerful and serene 

Than when fair morning first smiles on the world. 

— Book V : 122. 

Well we may afford 
Our givers their own gifts, and large bestow 
From large bestow'd. 

—Book V : ji6. 

That thou art happy, owe to God ; 

That thou continuest such, owe to thyself ; 

That is, to thy obedience : therein stand. 

— Book V : j20. 
(i6) 



-Book V : joj. 



Meanwhile enjoy 
Your fill what happiness this happy state 
Can comprehend, incapable of more. 

For time, though in eternity, apply'd 
To motion, measures all things durable 
By present, past and future. 

—Book V : ^80. 

Him who disobeys. 
Me disobeys, breaks union, and that day 
Cast out from God, and blessed vision, falls 
Into utter darkness, deep engulph'd, his place 
Ordain'd without redemption, without end. 

— Book V : 611. 

Shalt thou give law to God ? Shalt thou dispute 
With Him the points of liberty, who made 
Thee what thou art ? 

—Book V : 822. 

How few sometimes may know, when thousands err. 

—Book VI : 1 48. 

Sense of pleasure we may well 

Spare out of life perhaps, and not repine, 

But live content, which is the calmest life : 

But pain is perfect misery, the worst 

Of evils, and excessive, overturns 

All patience. 

— Book VI : 4jg. 

(17) 



Two days are therefore past, the third is thine ; 
For thee I have ordain'd it, and thus far 
Have suffer'd, that the glory may be thine. 

— Booh l^I : 6gg. 

Thus measuring things in Heav'n by things on Earth, 

At thy request, and that thou may'st beware 

By what is past, to thee I have reveal'd 

What might have else to human race been hid, 

The discord which befel, and was in Heav'n 

Among th' Angelic Pow'rs, and the deep fall 

Of those too high aspiring. 

—Book VI : Sgj. 

Night with her will bring 
Silence and sleep list'ning to thee will watch. 

— Book VII : lOj. 

Let it profit thee to have heard, 

By terrible example, the reward 

Of disobedience. Firm they might have stood, 

Yet fell. Remember and fear to transgress. 

— Book VI : gog. 

Knowledge is as food, and needs no less 
Her temp'rance over appetite, to know 
In measure what the mind may well contain ; 
Oppresses else with surfeit, and soon turns 
Wisdom to follv, as nourishment to wind. 

—Book VII : 126. 
(18) 



Consider first that great 
Or bright infers not excellence : the earth, 
Though in comparison of Heav'n, so small. 
Nor glit'ring may of solid good contain 
More plenty than the sun that barren shines ; 
Whose virtue on itself works no effect. 

—Book VIII : go. 

Spite then with spite is best repaid. 

—Book IX : lyS. 

But apt the mind or fancy is to rove 

Uncheck'd, and of her roving is no end ; 

Till warn'd, or by experience taught, she learn 

That not to know at large of things remote 

From use, obscure and subtle, but to know 

That which before us lies in daily life, 

Is the prime wisdom; what is more is fume, 

Or emptiness, or fond impertinence. 

And renders us, in things that most concern, 

Unpracticed, unprepared, and still to seek. 

—Book r/II: iSS. 

To attain 
The height and depth of Thy eternal ways. 
All human thoughts come short, Supreme of things! 
Thou in Thyself art perfect, and in Thee 
Is no deficience found. Not so is Man, 
But in degree ; the cause of his desire 
By conversation with his like to help, 
Or solace his defects. 

— Book J^III : 412. 
(19) 



Who aspires must down as low 

As high he soar'd; obnoxious first or last 

To basest things. Revenge, at first though sweet, 

Bitter ere long, back on itself recoils. 



For solitude sometimes is best society. 
And short retirement urges sweet return. 



Trial will come unsought. 



Can envy dwell 

In heav'nly breasts ? 



—Book IX : i6g. 

— Book JX : 24g. 
—Book IX : j66. 

— Book IX : jsg. 



In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, 
Till thou return unto the ground : * * 
For dust thou art, and shalt to dust return. 



What can I increase 
Or multiply, but curses on my head ? 



-Book X : 20^. 



■Book X : jji. 



Conscience! into what abyss of fears 

And horrors hast thou driven me ? out of which 

1 find no way! from deep to deeper plunged! 

—Book X : 842. 
(20) 



While yet we live, scarce one short hour perhaps, 
Between us two let there be peace. 

— Book X : g2j. 

Let us no more contend, nor blame 
Each other, blamed enough elsewhere, but strive 
In offices of love, how we may lighten 
Each other's burden, in our share of woe. 

—Book X : g^8. 

Miserable it is 
To be to others cause of miserv- 

—Book X : gSi. 

With labour I must earn 
My bread. What harm.? Idlenesss had been worse; 
My labour will sustain me. 

— Book X : 10^4. 

Easily niay faith admit, that all 
The good which we enjoy from Heav'n descends. 

— Book XI : 141. 

Nor love thy life, nor hate; but what thou liv'st 
Live well : how long, or short, permit to heav'n. 

— Book XI : j-jj. 

Lament not, but patiently resign 

What justly thou hast lost ; nor set \\\y heart 

Thus over-fond, on that which is not thine. 

—Book XI: 2S7. 
(21) 



Judge not what is best by pleasure. 



O visions ill foreseen ! Better had I 
Lived ignorant of future, so had borne 
Mj part of evil only, each day's lot 
Enough to bear! 



■Boo^ XI : 6oj. 



— Book XI : ybj. 



Let no man seek 
Henceforth to be foretold what shall befal 
Him or his children : evil he may be sure, 
Which neither his foreknowing can prevent; 
And he the future evil shall no less 
In apprehension than in substance feel 
Grievous to bear. 

— Book XI: 770. 

For on earth 
Who against faith and conscience can be heard 
Infallible? 

—Book XII: 328. 

Fame in the world, high titles and rich prey, 
Shall change their course to pleasui-e, ease and sloth, 
Surfeit and lust, till wantonness and pride 
Raise out of friendship hostile deeds in peace. 

—Book XI : 8()3. 
(22) 



Faithful found among the faithless. 

—Book V : Sg6. 

He will instruct us praj'ing, and of grace 
Beseeching Him, so as we need not fear 
To pass commodiously this life, sustain'd 
Bj Him with many comforts, till we end 
In dust: our final rest and native home. 
What better can we do, than to the place 
Repairing where He judged us, prostrate fall 
Before Him, reverent, and there confess 
Humblv our faults, and pardon beg, with tears 
Watering the ground, and with our sighs the air 
Frequenting, sent from hearts contrite, in sign 
Of sorrow unfeign'd, and humiliation meek.'* 

— Book X : 1081. 

Go in thy native innocence, relv 

On what thou hast of virtue, summon all, 

For God tow'rds thee hath done His part; do thine . 

—Book IX: 373. 



Servant of God, well done ! well hast thou fought 

The better fight. 

—Book VI : 2g. 

(^3) 



Love refines 
The thoughts, and heart enlarges; hath his seat 
In reason, and is judicious; is the scale 
By whicli to heav'nly love thou may'st ascend. 

—Book VIII : sSg. 



Freelj we serve, 
Because we freely love; as in our will 
To love or not. 



■Book V: SJS. 



God is thy law, thou mine; to know no more 
Is woman's happiest knowledge and her praise. 

—Book TV: 637. 



Grace was in her steps ! Heav'n in her eye ! 
In ev'ry gesture dignity and love ! 



-Book VIII: 488. 



Smiles from reason flow 
* * * And are of love the food. 

— Book IX : 2:}g. 

(24) 



And what is faith, love, virtue unessay'd 
Alone, without exterior help sustain'd? 

—Book IX: 3JS' 

For nothing lovelier can be found 
In woman, than to study household good, 
And good works in her husband to promote. 

—Book IX: 232. 

With thee to go, 
Is to sta}' here; without thee here to stay, 
Is to go hence unwillingly; thou to me 
Art all things under Heav'n. 

—Book XII : 61 J. 

In solitude 
What happiness? Who can enjoy alone, 
Or all enjoying, what contentment find? 

—Book VIII : 364. 



Be strong, live happv. and love. 

—Book VIII: 633. 



(2S) 



Death thou hast seen 
In his first shape on Man ; but many shapes 
Of Death, and many are the ways that lead 
To his grim cave, all dismal : yet to sense 
More terrible at th' entrance than within. 

—Boo/e XI: 466. 

It was but breath 
Of life that sinn'd. What dies but what had life 
And sin? The body properly, hath neither. 
All of me then shall die. Let this appease 
The doubt, since human reach no further knows; 
For though the Lord of all be infinite, 
Is His wrath also.-* Be it, Man is not so, 
But mortal doom'd. How can He exercise 
Wrath without end on Man whom death must end ^ 
Can He make deathless death ? 

—Book X: jSg. 



But Death comes not at call; Justice divine 
Mends not her slowest pace for pray'rs or cries. 

—Book X: 8s 8. 
(26) 



How gladly would I meet 
Mortality, mj sentence, and be earth 
Insensible ! How glad would lay me down, 
As in my Mother's lap! There I should rest, 
And sleep secure. 

— Book X : 775. 

Ah, why should all mankind 
For one man's fault thus guiltless be condemn'd, 
If guiltless ? 

—Book X: 822. 

O miserable of happy I Is this the end 

Of this new glorious world, and me so late 

The glory of that glory, who now become 

Accursed of blessed, hide me from the fice 

Of God ! whom lo behold was then my height 

Of happiness? Yet well, if here would end 

The misery. 

— Book X : 720. 

Wrath shall be no more 
Thenceforth, but in Thy presence joj' entire. 

—Book III : 264. 



And after all their tribulations long 

See golden days, fruitful of golden deeds, 

With jov and love triumphing, and fair truth. 

'/ ^ —Book in : 336. 

(27) 



Thou hast given me to possess 
Life in myself forever; by Thee I live, 
Though now to death I yield, and am his due, 
All that of me can die; yet that debt paid. 
Thou Avilt not leave me in the loathsome grave, 
His prey, nor suffer my unspotted soul 
For ever with corruption there to dwell; 
But I shall rise victorious, and subdue 
Mv V^anquisher. 

— Book III : 243. 




(28) 



With glorv and pow'r to judge both quick and dead; 
To judge th' unfaithful dead, but to reward 
His taithful, and receive them into liliss, 
Whether in Heav'n or Eartli : for then the Earth 
Shall all be Paradise; far happier place 
Than this of Eilen, and far happier days, 

— Book X/1 : 460. 



[The End.] 



(29) 



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